The Green Step Youth Program Project launched in cooperation between Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and Kırıkkale University with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey (GSB) was hosted by our university. The opening ceremony held on April 30, 2026 at our university’s Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. The event was attended by Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, and Deputy Director General for Education, Research, and Coordination at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (GSB) Erkan Şamiloğlu, Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Kırıkkale University and Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hasan Yaylı, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Özata, Director of Youth and Sports for Kırşehir Province Yasin Çakmakçı as well as academic and administrative staff and students. Within the scope of the project, both theoretical and practical training sessions were organized for young people.

The Green Step Youth Program aims to raise young people’s awareness of environmental issues, climate change, and sustainable development, increase their understanding of carbon and water footprints, and strengthen their active participation in support of Turkey’s 2053 Net Zero Emissions target. The project was implemented for young people residing in dormitories affiliated with the GSB, under the coordination of the GSB General Directorate of Education, Research, and Coordination, in collaboration with universities and provincial directorates.

Opening remarks for the program were delivered by the Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, GSB Deputy General Director of Education, Research, and Coordination Erkan Şamiloğlu, and Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, who highlighted the project’s importance for both the youth and our country. It was also noted that the program aims to equip young people with knowledge on critical environmental issues of today, such as carbon footprint and water footprint, while emphasizing the goal of fostering a more conscious and solution-oriented approach to environmental challenges.

Following the opening speeches, Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Kırıkkale University and Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hasan Yaylı delivered the project’s inaugural lecture with a presentation titled “Youth, the Environment, and Building the Future.”

As part of the “Green Step Youth Program” project hosted by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, young people received training on topics such as environmental and climate literacy, sustainable development, awareness of carbon and water footprints, national and international environmental policies, and environmental leadership, all delivered through youth-focused content. As part of the program, training sessions were conducted simultaneously not only in our province but also in Kırıkkale, Aksaray, Niğde, and Nevşehir.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil presented a gift to Prof. Dr. Hasan Yaylı, a faculty member at Kırıkkale University, in recognition of his contributions. The opening ceremony concluded with a group photo.